Incandescent gas sign and method of making same



May 16,` 1939. A s MoFFAT 2,158,968 y I'NcANDEscEM GAS SIGN-AND METHOD 0F MAKING SAME y Filed June l, 1938' l Patented May 16, 19.39

PATENT OFFICE INCNDESCENT GAS SIGN AND METHOD OFIMAKING SARIE Albert S. Monat, WatertownMasa., assigner of one-half to Harvey C.`Wheeler, Boston, Mns.

Application June 1, 1938,` Serial No. 211,150 2 Claims. (Cl. 176-14) My present invention is. directed to improve and perfect incandescentgas illuminating signs for display, advertising, or the like', and includes a simple and eillcient novel method of constructing the same.

As yshown and described in my Patent No. 2,089,567, dated August 10, 1937, a method of construction for incandescent-gas illuminating devices is disclosed; and in my prior pending application, Ser. No. 203,552, an improvement 'thereon is also illustrated and claimed. In my present application I have further developed an improved andvsimple iorm of construction and vmethod of making the same, which constitutes an additional development in this art.

My invention herein described is peculiarly adapted for use with 'transparent'piastic material although any equivalent means can be employed.

1 2o In my present development I prepare, mold,'cut,

or form a. layer of material with the lettering, sign, design of matter to be displayed, and which is to contain the gas for the illumination desired, from a sheet oi material, which gas-containing 25 channel is formed entirely thru this layer.

Thereupon I close these channels or openings by transparent sheets or layers secured to each face or surface of the ilrst formed or intermediate layer. Thus, I prepare three or more sheets or 30 layers, the intermediate containing the openings which are cut entirely therethru and attach to the opposite faces of such intermediate layer imperforate or transparent layers of glass or plastic material, thus closing-the opening in'the intermediate layer and forming such openings into f gas-receiving channels.

Preferably, also, I unite these layers together by heat-resistant cement and, furthermore, enclose the layers irmly in a clamping frame or o .the like rigid-protecting and securing means. Such gas-receiving'channels formed as briefly outlined above made be in the form of a plurality oi' separated designsto which the electric current-conducting wires, to render the gas in- 45 candescent, are led from appropriate grooves. The subject matter to be displayed may be and often is in the form of a continuous channel, which latter is illustrated in the drawing hereto y attached showing one form of the invention. 50- Referring to the drawing,

' Figylisaiypical view ofaneongassign with Portions oi' the rst and intermediate loyer broken away:

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line 2 2, u of Elg.f1 on an enlarged scale, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view oi' the intermediate layer containing the cut-out channel extending entirely therethru.

My present method of forming gas-illuminat- .ing devices and the arrangement of the same 5 i'or the enclosing plate, the white gas shining therethru produces a most pleasing diffusion of colors and may result in a glow showing all the colors of the rainbow, such as a lightv shining thru a spectrum.

Similarly, the dierent colored gases employed shining thru the coloring or design of the plastic material in the enclosing plates would produce a wide variety and range of attractive and distinctive illuminated designs. Thus, my development in this art of utilizing an intermediate layer, or layers, section or sections, .with the illuminating element contained therein and enclos` ing sheets or panels of material thru which the illuminating elements shine enables a very wide and extensive range of desirable combinations, designs, and displays to be effected in an eillclent and economical construction as well as in a simple and desirable method of making the 35 same.

-As shown in the drawing, the intermediate sheet or layer I, which may be of transparent plastic'material, Bakelite or the like, of suilicient heat-resisting strength to withstand the incandescent gas, has formed therein a channel, or channels, designated at 2L These are cut entirely thru the sheet I opening from both surfaces. Closingthese channel openings on each side of the intermediate layer i are transparent imperiorate sheets 3 and 4 of glass or other transparent material thus constituting a gas-receiving chamber. Heat-resisting cement 5 of any suitable kind is -utilized to unite the intermediate layer and the covering or face plates land l and thus constitute gas-receiving channels of the openings I.

A binding frame or clamp is tted inA any suitable manner, as herein shown, this frame 55,/

' lugs 1 and 9 united by bolts spaclngs around the marginal rim.

consisting of a pair of angle irons t and 1 in the shape of a frame, being formed with extending Currrentconducting wires i2-l2 are led thru suitable recesses, either formed in an intermediate layer or thru grooves adjacent the cement coatings to electrodes l5--I5 in opposite ends of the gasreceiving chamber to render the gas in the channels 2 incandescent for illuminating and display purposes. A suitable gas-lling device is indicated at i6.

The simplicity of my construction will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art and the eillciency of such a device will be appreciated. The method of forming the openings in the intermediate layer vis extremely simple and inexpensive.

While I have herein illustrated and described my improved device consisting of an intermediate layer and two closing pates, it will be appreciated that the intermediate layer may be formed from a plurality of sheets, if desired, with varying openings, whether in register or otherwise, and that either plate- 3 or 4 may be opaque as well as transparent. Preferably, however, these signs are desired to be visible from each side and,

hence, I show in the preferred form a pair of transparent face plates, as above explained.

A1so varying combinations of lcolor and design can be developed by utilizing my intermediate layer, or layers,.containing the illuminating element and which harmonizes, cooperates, or contrasts with the design and coloring of the enclosing plate, or plates, thus producing any combination of resultant colors desired, aswell as giving a rainbow effect to the entire display sign.

Thus, my invention premits a display sign,

such as shownin the drawing, with white argonl gas, for example, inthe intermediate layer or layers, andv which shines thru a colored plastic panel 3 on one side, producing one color, and slmultaneously shining thru a different colored plastic [on the opposite side, if desired. A wider Il at appropriate electrodes at opposite l arcanes v range is thus obtained by my invention than has heretofore been possible in this art.

The use of transparent and vari-colored plastic sheet material is most advantageously employed thru which such lights may shine, although glass may also be used although more difficult and expensive to color than the modern transparent plastics. l

I claim:

1. An illuminating display device of the kind v described, comprising a "panel of three layers,

each of' transparent plastic material, said -layers being secured together with their respective contacting faces in gas-tight relationship, the intermediate layer 'containing openings entirely therethru constituting Aa gas-receiving chamber, and adapted to receive neon gas, gas filling means thru one of-said plates to said gas-receiving chamber together with electrical current-conducting means thru one of said plastic layers to ends of said chamber to render said gas incandescent, the outer plastic plates being of contrasting color to that of the gas when incandescent in the intermediate plate openings.

2. An illuminating display device of the kind described,'comprising a panel of three layers, each of transparent plastic material, and adapted for interchangability with different intermediate plates, said layers being secured together with their respective contacting faces in gas-tight 

